Karipur : It’s a crushing blow for expatriates. The flight fares stand raised three to five times higher starting today. The heightened rates take effect in Kerala from Saturday. The strategy seeks to profit from expats flying homeward for Ramadan.
Prior tickets dated for today will be eligible for added fare. Ticket to Karipur airport from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, previously priced at Rs 8000 will go up to Rs 40,000 now. The same applies for flights to Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kannur airport. Flights to Saudi are three times higher. Thus, tickets that cost Rs 12,000 - Rs 15,000 is now around Rs 38,000. Qatar, Kuwait and Oman, where tickets previously stood at Rs 9000 now ranges between Rs 39,000 and Rs 41,000.
Owing to Covid conditions, majority expats did not return home for Ramadan in the two years gone by. Owing to the steep hike, several have now canceled their trips once again as joining one’s family would now cost lakhs. There is wide criticism on lack of intervention on part of the Union Aviation Ministry in this hurtful onslaught.
